Here are a few things I'm hearing on some of the younger players on the team that we don't talk about every day:
* Generally on bye weeks FSU will practice Tuesday-Thursday. After practice the coaches hit the road and the team has Friday and Saturday off. Not this week. It's Clemson week and FSU is practicing on Friday. Not all the coaches are there, but they are having practice. A source tells me they're paying close attention to the basics and re-teaching the fundamentals.
* John Franklin has been getting plenty of reps playing scout team QB. With FSU facing dual threat quarterbacks against Nevada, Bethune and Maryland, Franklin has been busy acting as the opposing teams quarterback. A source tells me Franklin hasn't looked good, he's looked excellent. More specifically I was told, "I wasn't around when Charlie Ward was there, but if Ward was better as a freshman (than Franklin), then I want to see it."
* Just my opinion, but I think that if Coker leaves Franklin will stick to quarterback because he has a very legit shot to win the backup job. Most, including myself thought Franklin would end up at safety/corner. This will be something to watch in the offseason.
* Earlier in the year freshman Marquez White was sitting in both wide receiver and defensive back meetings. I'm told White is now back to primarily defensive back. He's a year or so from seeing the field, but he's showing promise and will contribute down the road.
* The staff likes what they're getting from Demarcus Walker thus far in his short career. His biggest help to the team is that he's lit a fire under Mario Edwards Jr. A source told me Mario is now working harder than he ever has since arriving at FSU. Demarcus is physical and smart, but right now he's just being outplayed Mario, which is a good thing.
* Reggie Northrup is starting to come on. A source tells me he's very physical and there is a lot of confidence he'll be a solid middle linebacker at FSU.
* The defensive backfield is set for the next couple years. The top DB combination moving forward will look like this Jalen Ramsey, Ronald Darby, Nate Andrews and PJ Williams. FSU's top DB commit right now is Trey Marshall and with the way he's recovering, I could see him making an early impact. FSU likes him in the 'star' position that Lamarcus Joyner plays. Marshall will probably end up playing safety, but as a freshman he might see time next year at corner.
* I'm hearing the staff is very pleased with the offensive line play this year. However, the line can't afford to suffer a major injury. There isn't a whole lot of depth behind the starting line. I'm told Wilson Bell is going to be a major contributor at FSU for years to come, but right now he's still very raw. Ruben Carter has also exceeded expectations and filled in admirably when needed.

Here are a few things I'm hearing on some of the younger players on the team that we don't talk about every day:
* Generally on bye weeks FSU will practice Tuesday-Thursday. After practice the coaches hit the road and the team has Friday and Saturday off. Not this week. It's Clemson week and FSU is practicing on Friday. Not all the coaches are there, but they are having practice. A source tells me they're paying close attention to the basics and re-teaching the fundamentals.
* John Franklin has been getting plenty of reps playing scout team QB. With FSU facing dual threat quarterbacks against Nevada, Bethune and Maryland, Franklin has been busy acting as the opposing teams quarterback. A source tells me Franklin hasn't looked good, he's looked excellent. More specifically I was told, "I wasn't around when Charlie Ward was there, but if Ward was better as a freshman (than Franklin), then I want to see it."
* Just my opinion, but I think that if Coker leaves Franklin will stick to quarterback because he has a very legit shot to win the backup job. Most, including myself thought Franklin would end up at safety/corner. This will be something to watch in the offseason.
* Earlier in the year freshman Marquez White was sitting in both wide receiver and defensive back meetings. I'm told White is now back to primarily defensive back. He's a year or so from seeing the field, but he's showing promise and will contribute down the road.
* The staff likes what they're getting from Demarcus Walker thus far in his short career. His biggest help to the team is that he's lit a fire under Mario Edwards Jr. A source told me Mario is now working harder than he ever has since arriving at FSU. Demarcus is physical and smart, but right now he's just being outplayed Mario, which is a good thing.
* Reggie Northrup is starting to come on. A source tells me he's very physical and there is a lot of confidence he'll be a solid middle linebacker at FSU.
* The defensive backfield is set for the next couple years. The top DB combination moving forward will look like this Jalen Ramsey, Ronald Darby, Nate Andrews and PJ Williams. FSU's top DB commit right now is Trey Marshall and with the way he's recovering, I could see him making an early impact. FSU likes him in the 'star' position that Lamarcus Joyner plays. Marshall will probably end up playing safety, but as a freshman he might see time next year at corner.
* I'm hearing the staff is very pleased with the offensive line play this year. However, the line can't afford to suffer a major injury. There isn't a whole lot of depth behind the starting line. I'm told Wilson Bell is going to be a major contributor at FSU for years to come, but right now he's still very raw. Ruben Carter has also exceeded expectations and filled in admirably when needed.

I'm ready for this game, but i'll settle for watching unc and um tonight....While we anticipate the epic matchup Saturday, anybody care to make their score predictions for the game? I'm predicting 34-20, FSU.

I'm ready for this game, but i'll settle for watching unc and um tonight....While we anticipate the epic matchup Saturday, anybody care to make their score predictions for the game? I'm predicting 34-20, FSU.